System and technique for extracting particulate-containing liquid samples without filtration

ABSTRACT

A filtration-free liquid sampling system may be used to extract particulate or debris-containing liquid samples that may otherwise plug a filter over its service life. For example, such a system may be used to extract liquid sample from an industrial textile washer to monitor and/or validate the quality of wash conditions within the washer. In some examples, the system includes a pump that creates a vacuum on a backstroke, drawing liquid into a sensor housing positioned between the pump and the washer. After holding the liquid in the sensor housing long enough to measure its properties, the pump can be driven in a reverse stroke to pressurize the contents in the sensor housing and force the liquid back into the washer. This vacuum fill/pressure purge can keep the sensor housing free of debris.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/723,438, filed Aug. 27, 2018, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to liquid samplers for extractingparticulate-containing liquid samples for analysis and, moreparticularly, to liquid samplers used to extract and analyze liquidsamples from commercial textile washers.

BACKGROUND

Operators in the commercial textile cleaning industry are continuallychallenged to process high volumes of textile articles that are oftenheavily soiled to produce hygienic and visually attractive items forreuse. Typical textiles that are processed in high volume commercialcleaning facilities include hospital articles (e.g., bed linens,surgical and patient garments, towels), hotel and hospitality articles(e.g., bed linens and toweling), and restaurant articles (e.g., tablecloths, napkins).

Commercial textile cleaners typically use large, automated commercialwashing machines to clean the textiles. These commercial washingmachines may automatically add a series of different aqueous solutionsto the textiles being processed, such as aqueous solutions containingquantities of alkaloid, detergent, bleach, starch, softener and/or sour,to clean and sanitize/disinfect the articles being processed. Theconcentration of the different chemical agents introduced into thewashing machine during processing may be preprogrammed based on theexpected level of soil on the textiles being processed and thecharacteristics of the textiles being processed (e.g., color, desiresoftness).

In practice, the type and extent of soil on a particular textile beingwashed can vary widely depending on the environment and conditions thetextile was exposed to before being deposited for cleaning. For example,hospital linens received for washing may be no dirtier than those from atypical hotel room used in normal service. Alternatively, that set ofhospital linens may be heavily contaminated with infectious biologicalfluids from a patient. The amount of washing time and/or concentrationof chemical additives needed to properly clean and sanitize/disinfectthe heavily contaminated linens can be significantly greater than thelinens subject to normal use. If the amount of chemical additivepreprogrammed to be introduced into the washer is too great to cover themost soiled articles possible, most wash cycles will overdose onchemical additive, resulting in excessive cleaning cost and wear on thearticles being cleaned. By contrast, if the amount of chemical additivepreprogrammed to be introduced into the washer is too little for thesolid demands of the article being washed, the article may not beproperly cleaned and sanitized/disinfected.

SUMMARY

In general, this disclosure is directed to systems and techniques forextracting liquid samples for analysis from a larger source of theliquid. The liquid may be a particulate-containing liquid that carriessolid matter entrained in the liquid. For example, in the case ofaqueous liquid extracted from a washing machine, the liquid may containdirt, sand, lint and/or other sheared textile material, and/or releasedremnants of soil deposited on the surface of the articles being cleaned.In practice, these solid materials carried in the liquid being sampledmay have a tendency to plug or otherwise foul a sample extractiondevice. If a screen is placed between the source of liquid being sampledand the sample extraction device, the pores of the screen may plug withthe solid material over time, rendering the sample extraction device inoperable unless an operator intervenes to clean the screen.

In accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, a sampleextraction device may be configured to extract samples of liquidmaterial from the larger source for analysis without passing the sampleliquid through a screen that can be plugged. The sample extractiondevice may have a sensor housing and a liquid conveyance device. Thesensor housing can contain one or more sensors for analyzing liquidextracted from the larger source. The sensor housing may be positionedbetween the larger source of liquid being sampled and the liquidconveyance device. The liquid conveyance device may generate a vacuumpressure to draw liquid from the larger source to the liquid conveyancedevice, causing the liquid sample to be drawn into the sensor housingpositioned between the larger liquid source and the conveyance device.The liquid conveyance device may also generate a positive pressure toexpel the liquid drawn toward the conveyance device back away from theconveyance device. For example, after drawing liquid into the sensorhousing and holding the liquid for a period of time sufficient for theliquid to be analyzed, the liquid conveyance device may generate apositive pressure expelling the liquid from the sensor housing. Thispositive pressure may also expel any solid material drawn into thesensor housing with the liquid being analyzed, effectively purging thesensor housing of falling and/or plugging solid material.

While a liquid conveyance device used as part of a sampling system canhave a variety of different configurations, in some examples, the liquidconveyance device includes a motive element that moves in one directionto create a vacuum drawing liquid into the sensor housing and moves inthe reverse direction to discharge liquid out of the sensor housing. Forexample, the motive element may be implemented using a piston or aflexible membrane. The motive element may be configured to draw a volumeof liquid into the liquid conveyance device greater than the volume ofthe sensor housing. This can help ensure that enough liquid is drawnfrom the liquid source to fill the sensor housing and/or that the entirevolume of the sensor housing is substantially entirely flushed whenexpelling the sampled liquid out of the housing.

In some configurations, the sampling system may have a single fluidopening through which liquid being sampled is both drawn into thesampling system and expelled from the sampling system. That is, ratherthan having an inlet opening through which liquid is drawn into thesystem and a separate outlet opening through which the liquid issubsequently discharged, the system may be implemented with a singlefluid opening that functions as both an inlet and an outlet depending onthe direction of liquid flow. This arrangement can be useful to providebidirectional flow through the sampling system, including the sensorhousing of the sampling system. When so configured, liquid may be drawnfrom the liquid source (e.g., textile washer) through the single openinginto the sensor housing for analysis. After being analyzed, the liquidmay be expelled the back out of the sensor housing through the sameopening, optionally returning to the liquid source from which it wasdrawn. This bidirectional flow pattern can provide agitation to releaseand remove solid material drawn into the sensor housing with the liquidbeing sampled, helping to purge the sensor housing of potentiallyfouling material.

In one example, a liquid sampling system for an industrial textilewasher is described. The system includes a tunnel washer having aninlet, an outlet, and a plurality of processing chambers between theinlet and the outlet. The system also includes a liquid sampling systemhaving a fluid line in fluid communication with at least one of theplurality of processing chambers of the tunnel washer. The examplespecifies that the liquid sampling system includes a sensor housing, atleast one sensor, and a liquid conveyance device. The sensor housing hasa first opening connected to the fluid line and a second opening. Thesensor is positioned to measure a property of a liquid drawn into thesensor housing. The liquid conveyance device having an opening in fluidcommunication with the second opening of the sensor housing and a motiveelement. In the example, the motive element is configured to draw avolume of liquid into the liquid conveyance device through the opening,thereby drawing liquid from the at least one of the plurality ofprocessing chambers of the tunnel washer via the fluid line and into thesensor housing. The motive element is further configured to subsequentlydischarge the volume of liquid from the liquid conveyance device backout through the opening, thereby pushing the liquid in the sensorhousing out of the sensor housing.

In another example, a method is described that includes drawing a sampleof liquid out of a processing chamber of a textile washer by driving amotive element of a liquid conveyance device in fluid communication withthe processing chamber. The example specifies that there is a sensorhousing positioned between the motive element and the processingchamber. Accordingly, driving the motive element of the liquidconveyance device fills the sensor housing with liquid from theprocessing chamber. The method includes measuring a property of theliquid drawn into the sensor housing using a sensor. The method furtherinvolves pushing the liquid drawn into the sensor housing back out ofthe sensor housing and back into the processing chamber of the textilewasher by driving the motive element of the liquid conveyance device.

In another example, a liquid sampling system is described that includesa sensor housing, at least one sensor, and a liquid conveyance device.The sensor housing has a first opening and a second opening and thatdefines a volume within the sensor housing. The sensor is positioned tomeasure a property of a liquid drawn into the sensor housing. The liquidconveyance device has an opening in fluid communication with the secondopening of the sensor housing and a motive element. The motive elementis configured to draw a volume of the liquid greater than the volume ofthe sensor housing into the liquid conveyance device via the opening,thereby drawing liquid into the sensor housing. The motive element isfurther configured to subsequently discharge the volume of liquid drawninto the liquid conveyance device back out through the opening.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example textile washing system that mayutilize a liquid sampling system according to disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of an example configuration of a liquidsampling system illustrating an example configuration of a sensorhousing and liquid conveyance device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of another example configuration of aliquid sampling system.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of another example configuration of aliquid sampling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems, devices, andtechniques for extracting and analyzing liquid fluid from a piece ofequipment containing the fluid. The equipment itself may not allowdirect analysis of fluid inside of the equipment, necessitating thatfluid be taken out of the equipment for analysis. For example, theoperating conditions inside of the equipment may be too harsh toaccommodate positioning a sensor inside of the equipment for directmeasurement of the fluid in the equipment. Additionally oralternatively, the equipment may have been designed without the featuresneeded for direct sensory measurement of liquid inside of the equipment.As a result, an external liquid sampling system may be useful toretrofit the equipment with sensory capabilities.

In accordance with some examples described in this disclosure, a liquidsampling system is provided for extracting and analyzing liquid from oneor more pieces of equipment housing the bulk of the liquid. The liquidsampling system can be used with any type of equipment that processliquid media, including those types of equipment where the liquid beingprocessed contains intermixed solid matter that has a tendency to plugor foul filtration media. Example equipment with which the liquidsampling system may be used includes, but is not limited to, coolingwater systems (e.g., cooling water towers), heat exchangers,petrochemical processing and extraction equipment, mining drainage andwaste water systems, warewash machines, pool and spa systems, poultrychillers, produce flumes, food processing plants, pulp and paper streamsand wastewater operations.

As one example, the sampling system may be used to extract samples ofliquid from a textile washer to evaluate the characteristics of liquidand, correspondingly, to help determine and/or validate the chemicalconditions under which the textiles being processed are cleaned. Liquidwithin a textile washer has been found, in some applications, to containhigh levels of solid material that has a tendency to cause foulingand/or plugging problems. This solid material can include dirt, sand,lint and/or other sheared textile material, and/or released remnants ofsoil deposited on the surface of the articles being cleaned. The solidmaterial that is dispersed throughout the liquid in these applicationshas a tendency to agglomerate and bind together, forming pluggingchallenges for a sampling apparatus over multiple sample extractions anextended service. Accordingly, example sampling system configurationsare described below with reference to an example textile washing systemin which the sampling system may be implemented. It should beappreciated, however, that the disclosure is not limited in this respectunless otherwise noted, and a sampling system can be used in otherapplications.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example textile washing system 10 thatmay utilize a liquid sampling system according to disclosure. System 10includes a tunnel washer 20 and a liquid sampling system 30 that is influid communication with the tunnel washer 20. Tunnel washer 20 has aninlet 22 that receives articles to be washed and an outlet 24 thatdischarges washed articles. As described in greater detail below, liquidsampling system 30 can extract a sample of liquid from an interior oftunnel washer 20 to analyze one or more characteristics of the liquid.The characteristic(s) of the liquid analyzed may indicate the chemicaland/or biological conditions of the liquid within the washer. Thesecharacteristic(s) may be compared to one or more stored thresholds tovalidate that the appropriate amount of chemistry was added and presentin the washer to achieve cleaning and/or sanitization/disinfectionconditions needed for the articles being washed. If the conditions arenot met, additional chemistry may be introduced into the washer whilethe articles are still being processed in the washer or the articles maybe rewashed under appropriate treatment conditions.

Tunnel washer 20 may be implemented as a continuous batch tunnel washerthat includes a screw or conveying member to continuously transportarticles being washed from inlet 22 to outlet 24, e.g., whileperiodically holding the articles within a section of the wash chamberfor agitation before moving onto the next section. Wash liquid withinthe tunnel washer 20 may move in a co-current or counter-currentdirection through the washer. While FIG. 1 illustrates textile washingsystem 10 as having a tunnel washer, in other applications, the washingsystem may utilize a centrifuge washing machines provided with arotatable washing drum or yet other type of apparatus that providesmechanical agitation between washing liquid and the articles beingwashed. For example, a textile washer used in washing system 10 mayside-load textile washer with one or more processing chambers, an endloader washer/extractor, an open pocket washer/extractor, or yet othertype of textile washing device.

When textile washing system 10 includes tunnel washer 20, the interiorof the tunnel washer may be divided into multiple zones, sections,pockets, or compartments, e.g., that provide processing chambersfunctioning as different stages of the washing process. For example,tunnel washer 20 may include multiple processing chambers 26A-26Z(collectively referred to as “processing chamber 26”) through which thetextile articles being processed progresses during various wash andrinse cycles. Tunnel washer 20 is illustrated as having six processingchambers 26 but may have fewer processing chambers (e.g., three, four,five) or more processing chambers (e.g., 8, 10, 12, or more).

To define the different processing stages 26 of tunnel washer 20, anArchimedean screw may extend along the length of the tunnel washer withthe helixes of the screw dividing the interior into different processingchamber. Tunnel washer 20 can be mounted on rollers, allowing the tunnelwasher to oscillate back and forth to agitate laundry articles within agiven processing chamber 26 for a period of time. Tunnel washer 20 mayrotate 360 degrees periodically, causing the articles being processed tomove from one processing chamber 26 to the next processing chamber.Alternatively, the screw may turn 360 degrees forward instead of thetunnel washer housing to move the articles being processed from onestage to the next.

In general, tunnel washer may include one or more wash chamber(s), oneor more oxidizing chamber(s), and one or more rinse chamber(s) movingsequentially from inlet 22 to outlet 24. Within the one or more washchambers, the articles being washed may be wetted and washed in theinitial break step with detergents, surfactants, chelants, waterconditioners, and/or alkalis, in each case with heating or unheated.After being washed, the articles may be conveyed downstream to theoxidizing chamber(s). Within the oxidizing chamber(s), antimicrobialagents, bleaches, chelants, water conditioners, pH adjustmentacids/bases, and/or quaternary ammonium compounds may be added to cleanand sanitize/disinfect the articles. The articles being washed can thenbe conveyed further down the tunnel washer to the rinse (and/or sourand/or finishing) chamber(s). Within the rinse/sour/finishingchamber(s), the articles may be rinsed with clean water, pH adjusted byadding antichlors and/or sour materials containing acid components thatneutralize alkaline residues on the fabric, treated with a fabricsoftening agent, and/or treated with a bacteriostatic, mildewcide,and/or antistatic agent. In some examples, a separate neutralizationprocessing chamber is provided downstream of the rinse processingchamber(s) for adjusting the pH of the articles before discharge. At theoutlet 24 of tunnel washer 20, a water extractor or press may removeexcess water from the articles being washed, allowing the damp articlesto be sent further downstream for drying, ironing, and/or steamfinishing.

Any types of fabric articles can be washed in textile washing system 10.Example articles include clothing, linens, towels, blankets, and thelike. The articles may be manufactured from natural fibers (e.g., wool,cashmere, cotton, silk, linen, hemp) and/or synthetic fibers (e.g.,rayon, polyester, acrylic, acetate and nylon). Depending on the useenvironment of the articles, the articles may carry a variety ofdifferent types of soils. Example soils include dirt (e.g., sand), foodand/or beverage deposits, bodily fluid (e.g., blood, fecal material),and/or other contaminants. Accordingly, liquid samples extracted fromtunnel washer 20 may have greater than 0.1 weight percent solids, suchas greater than 0.25 weight percent solids, or greater than 0.5 weightpercent solids. For example, the liquid samples may have from 0.05 to 5weight percent solids, such as from 0.1 to 3 weight percent solids, orfrom 0.25 to 2 weight percent solids. The solids may have an averagesize greater than 25 microns, such as an average size greater than 50microns, an average size greater than 100 microns, or an average sizegreater than 250 microns. For example, at least 90% of the solids mayfall within a size distribution ranging from 50 microns to 1 mm. Forapplications involving larger solids, at least 90% of the solids mayfall within a size distribution ranging from 0.1 mm microns to 5 mm.Other size ranges of solid materials in the liquid being sampled may bepresent depending on the application and nature of the fluid beingsampled.

To evaluate one or more characteristics of liquid within tunnel washer20, textile washing system 10 includes liquid sampling system 30. Aswill be described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 2-4,liquid sampling system 30 may include a sensor housing 32 and a liquidconveyance device 34. Sensor housing 32 can define a cavity thatreceives liquid from tunnel washer 20 and allows one or more sensors 36to interact with liquid in the cavity to determine one or morecharacteristics of the liquid. Liquid conveyance device 34 can drawliquid into sensor housing 32 for analysis and discharge liquid from thesensor housing after analysis is complete.

Textile washing system in the example of FIG. 1 also includes acontroller 50. Controller 50 is communicatively connected to liquidsample system 30 and, may also optionally be communicatively connectedto tunnel washer 20, as shown in the illustrated example. Controller 50includes processor 52 and memory 54. Controller 50 can communicate withcontrollable components in system 10 via wired and/or wirelessconnections. For example, controller 50 can communicate with liquidsampling system 30, e.g., to receive signals generated by one or moresensors 36 analyzing liquid in sensor housing 32 and/or to controlliquid conveyance device 34 to fill and discharge the sensor housing ofliquid. In some configurations, controller 50 can also control tunnelwasher 20, e.g., in response to information generated by liquid samplingsystem 30 concerning one or more characteristics of liquid within thetunnel washer. When so implemented, controller 50 may controloperational characteristics of the tunnel washer (e.g., wash residencetime within a processing chamber, amount of agitation, the introductionand/or discharge of water and/or cleaning chemicals, detergent, etc.) inresponse to information generated by liquid sampling system 30.

Processor 52 runs software stored in memory 54 to perform functionsattributed to textile washing system 10 in this disclosure, includingliquid sampling system 30 and any sensors 36 associated therewith.Components described as processors within controller 50, or any otherdevice described in this disclosure, may each include one or moreprocessors, such as one or more microprocessors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic circuitry, orthe like, either alone or in any suitable combination.

Memory 54 stores software and data used or generated by controller 52.For example, memory 54 may store data used by controller 52 to controlliquid sampling system 30 to extract a liquid sample using liquidconveyance device 34, analyze the liquid sample using the one or moresensors 36 to determine one or more characteristics of the sample, andto further control liquid conveyance device 34 to discharge the analyzedsample. Memory 54 may store the determined characteristic(s) of theliquid, e.g., along with information associating the determinedcharacteristic(s) to a particular batch textiles being washed and/orparticular textile articles being washed in that batch. This informationcan be useful to validate the washing characteristics that a particulartextile article was exposed to, e.g., giving downstream users of thearticle that the article was appropriately cleaned and/orsanitized/disinfected during the earlier washing process.

To sample liquid from tunnel washer 20 using liquid sampling device 30,the liquid sampling system may be placed in fluid communication with thetunnel washer. Liquid sampling system 30 may be placed in fluidcommunication by establishing a flow pathway from an interior of thedevice from which the liquid sample is being extracted (e.g., tunnelwasher 20) to the liquid sampling system. In some configurations, sensorhousing 32 of liquid sampling system 30 is connected directly to tunnelwasher 20, for example to provide a housing-to-housing connectionwithout intervening conduit. In other configurations, a fluid conduit isconnected on one end to tunnel washer 20 and the opposite end to liquidsampling system 30 (e.g., sensor housing 32 of the liquid samplingsystem). The fluid conduit may be a pipe or segment of tubing thatallows fluid to be conveyed from one location to another location in thesystem. The material used to fabricate the conduits should be chemicallycompatible with the liquid to be conveyed and, in various examples, maybe steel, stainless steel, or a polymer (e.g., polypropylene,polyethylene, polyvinylidene difluoride). In either configuration, afluid line 38 (e.g., provided by a section of housing and/or anintermediate fluid conduit) may be provided between tunnel washer 20 andliquid sampling system 30.

Depending on the configuration of tunnel washer 20, the washer may havean existing port or valve connection that can be used to fluidly coupleliquid sampling system 30 the tunnel washer. If tunnel washer 20 doesnot have an existing opening that can be used to make a fluidconnection, a user may install a port on the tunnel washer for makingthe connection. The port on tunnel washer 20 used to provide fluidcommunication with liquid sampling system 30 may be located sufficientlylow on the tunnel washer housing to be below the liquid level inside thehousing, e.g., on a bottommost surface of the housing.

Liquid sampling system 30 may be fluidly coupled to one or moreprocessing chambers 26 of tunnel washer 20. For example, tunnel washer20 may have multiple ports each of which provide fluid communicationwith a different processing chamber 26 of the tunnel washer. One or morefluid lines 38 can provide fluid communication between the differentprocessing chambers 26 and liquid sampling device 30. For example, avalve manifold may be used to control fluid communication between themultiple different processing chambers and liquid sampling system 30.Liquid sampling system 30 may extract liquid from a select one of theprocessing chambers 26 by controlling the valve positioning of the valvemanifold.

In other examples, liquid sampling system 30 may be in fluidcommunication with only a single processing chamber. In these examples,the fluid characteristics of only the single processing chamber 26 oftunnel washer 20 in fluid communication with liquid sampling system 30may be monitored. Alternatively, multiple liquid sampling systems 30 maybe implemented in textile washing system 10. Each of the multiple liquidsampling systems 30 may have the design features of a liquid samplingsystem as described herein. Each of the multiple liquid sampling systems30 may be fluidly connected to a different processing chamber 26. Inthis way, the fluid characteristics of liquids from different processingchambers 26 of tunnel washer 20 may be monitored. When textile washingsystem 10 is implemented using multiple liquid sampling systems 30, eachliquid sampling system may have its own controller (e.g., which in turncommunicates with a system controller) and/or a single controller maycontrol all the liquid sampling systems. In either case, multiple liquidsampling systems 30 may be mounted on a shared mobile cart, allowing themultiple liquid sampling systems to be transported together as a system.

While liquid sampling system 30 can be used to extract liquid from anylocation for analysis, in some examples, the liquid sampling system isfluidly connected to a wash processing chamber 26 of tunnel washer 20.For example, when tunnel washer 20 includes multiple processing chambers26 that include a wash processing chamber, an oxidizing processingchamber, and a rinse processing chamber (with additional processingchambers optionally present), liquid sampling system 30 may be fluidlyconnected to a wash processing chamber. In general, tunnel washer 20 mayhave one or more wash processing chambers 26 where chemistry isintroduced to clean and/or sanitize/disinfect the textile articles beingcleaned.

The amount of chemistry introduced into the one or more wash processingchambers 26 may be effective to ensure that the textile articles washedusing tunnel washer 20 are cleaned and sanitized/disinfected through thewash process. The amount of chemistry to be introduced into the one ormore wash processing chambers to achieve the desired level of cleaningand/or sanitization/disinfection may vary depending on the types andamounts of soil present on the articles being cleaned. The amount ofchemistry consumed during the washing process may vary depending on thetypes and amount of soil present on the articles being cleaned.Accordingly, monitoring the characteristics of the liquid in one or morewash processing chambers 26 of tunnel washer 20 may be useful todetermine if a threshold level of chemistry is present in the liquid inwhich the textiles are being washed.

In operation, controller 50 can control liquid sampling system 30 toextract a liquid sample from the processing chamber 26 to which theliquid sampling system is fluidly connected. For example, controller 50can control liquid conveyance device 34 to draw liquid from processingchamber 26 via fluid line 38 into sensor housing 32. Controller 50 canfurther control one or more sensors 36 of liquid sampling system 30 toanalyze one or more characteristics of the fluid drawn into sensorhousing 32. Controller 50 can subsequently control liquid conveyancedevice 34 to discharge the liquid in sensor housing 32 having undergoneanalysis back out of the sensor housing. In some applications, liquiddrawn from processing chamber 26 is discharged back into the sameprocessing chamber after having undergone analysis. In otherapplications, the liquid having undergone analysis is discharged to adrain or other disposal location.

Although not illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, a valve may beinterposed between tunnel washer 20 and liquid sampling system 30, e.g.,along fluid line 38. Controller 50 may control the valve to open fluidline 38 for extracting a sample from processing chamber 26, close thevalve while the fluid sample is undergoing analysis, and reopen thevalve to discharge the analyzed fluid sample back through fluid line 38.In other configurations, system 10 may not have a valve interposedbetween tunnel washer 20 and liquid sampling system 30. Rather, fluidline 38 may be in direct fluid connection with tunnel washer 20 thoughtthe extraction, sampling, and discharge processes. When so configured,liquid conveyance device 34 can cycle to draw liquid into the samplingsystem, hold the drawn liquid in the system during sampling (whilemaintaining fluid contact via fluid line 38), and cycle again todischarge the liquid back into the tunnel washer. The cycling may becontrolled, for example, by controller 50 controlling an air source thatpneumatically drives liquid conveyance device 34.

Controller 50 can control liquid sampling system 30 to extract andanalyze liquid samples with any desired frequency. In one configuration,controller 50 controls liquid sampling system 30 to extract and analyzeone liquid sample from processing chamber 26 during each batch oftextiles processed in the washer. In another configuration, controller50 controls liquid sampling system 30 to extract and analyze multipleliquid samples from processing chamber 26 during each batch of textilesbeing processed in the washer. For example, controller 50 may controlliquid sampling system 30 to repeatedly extract, analyze, and dischargeliquid from a given processing chamber 26 while textile articles beingwashed remain in that processing chamber undergoing washing. Asexamples, controller 50 may control liquid sampling system 30 toextract, analyze, and discharge a sample at least once every minute,such as at least once every 30 seconds, at least once every 10 seconds,or at least once every 5 seconds. Additionally or alternatively,controller 50 may include a user interface that allows an operator tointeract with the controller to control liquid sampling system 30 ondemand to extract and analyze liquid sample as desired.

Operating under the control of controller 50, the one or more sensors 36of liquid sampling system 30 can analyze one or more characteristics ofthe liquid drawn into the liquid sampling system. Example types ofsensors that may be used as sensors 36 on liquid sampling system 30include a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, a conductivity sensor, anoptical sensor, and combinations thereof. The sensor(s) 36 may be usedto determine a concentration of one or more chemical components presentin the liquid. In the example configuration of FIG. 1, for instance,sensor(s) 36 may determine a one or more characteristics relating to thecleaning and/or sanitizing/disinfection efficacy of the liquidundergoing analysis. Such characteristics may include the concentrationof one or more cleaning and/or antimicrobial agents intended to bepresent in the liquid, a pH of the liquid, a temperature of the liquid,a turbidity of the liquid (e.g., which may include a soil level in theliquid), an oxidative reductive potential (ORP) of the liquid (e.g.,conductivity probe measurements), and/or a total dissolved solids levelof the liquid.

Liquid characteristic information determined based on informationmeasured by sensor 36 may be stored in memory 54 of controller 50. Insome examples, controller 50 may control tunnel washer 20 based on themeasured property. Additionally or alternatively, controller 50 maytransmit information concerning the measured characteristic/property toa remote computing device. For example, controller 50 may be implementedusing one or more controllers, which may be located at the facility sitecontaining washer 20. Controller 50 may communicate with one or moreremote computing devices 56 via a network 58. For example, controller 50may communicate with a geographically distributed cloud computingnetwork, which may perform any or all of the functions attributed tocontroller 50 in this disclosure.

Network 58 can be configured to couple one computing device to anothercomputing device to enable the devices to communicate together. Network58 may be enabled to employ any form of computer readable media forcommunicating information from one electronic device to another. Also,network 58 may include a wireless interface, and/or a wired interface,such as the Internet, in addition to local area networks (LANs), widearea networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through a universalserial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media, or anycombination thereof. On an interconnected set of LANs, including thosebased on differing architectures and protocols, a router may act as alink between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another.Communication links within LANs may include twisted wire pair or coaxialcable, while communication links between networks may utilize analogtelephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital lines, IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs),wireless links including cellular and satellite links, or othercommunications links. Furthermore, remote computers and other relatedelectronic devices may be remotely connected to either LANs or WANs viaa modem and temporary telephone link.

In operation, liquid conveyance device 34 can generate a vacuum pressureto draw liquid into sensor housing 32 for analysis and subsequentlygenerate a pressure to discharge the liquid in the sensor housing backout of the sensor housing. Accordingly, liquid conveyance device 34 mayinclude a motive element, which may be a movable component within thedevice for generating a vacuum and/or positive pressures. For example,the motive element may move in one direction away from the sensorhousing 32 to generate a vacuum drawing liquid from tunnel washer 20into the sensor housing 32. The motive element may subsequently move inan opposite direction toward sensor housing 32 to generate a positivepressure pushing liquid in sensor housing 32 back out of the housing,e.g., and into tunnel washer 20. In different examples, liquidconveyance device 34 may be implemented using a positive displacementpump motive element, such as a piston or diaphragm.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of an example configuration of liquidsampling system 30 illustrating an example configuration of sensorhousing 32 and liquid conveyance device 34. In this example, sensorhousing has a first opening 40 that can be connected to fluid line 38 toprovide an inlet to the sensor housing from tunnel washer 20. Sensorhousing 32 also includes a second opening 42, which is illustrated asbeing positioned on an opposite end of the sensor housing although maybe located at any suitable position relative to first opening 40. Liquidconveyance device 34 is in fluid communication with second opening 42 ofsensor housing 32. In some examples, a housing 44 of liquid conveyancedevice 34 is connected directly to sensor housing 32, e.g., to provide ahousing-to-housing connection between second opening 42 of the sensorhousing and an inlet opening of housing 44 without intervening conduit.In other examples, a fluid conduit is used to fluidly connect opening 42of sensor housing 32 to a corresponding opening of housing 44 of liquidconveyance device 34. In either case, the liquid conveyance device 34can be in pressure communication with sensor housing 32 to draw liquidinto the sensor housing and expel liquid from the sensor housing.

In the illustrated configuration of FIG. 2, liquid conveyance device 34is illustrated as having a piston 46 that is configured to translateback and forth within the pump housing 44. When piston 46 translates ina first direction (e.g., X-direction indicated on FIG. 2) such that the,piston is retracted in housing 44, the piston can generate a vacuum thatdraws liquid from tunnel washer 20 into sensor housing 32. The vacuumpressure may communicate with the tunnel washer via fluid line 38, firstopening 40, and second opening 42 to which fluid conveyance device 34 isconnected. After the fluid is analyzed within sensor housing 32, piston46 can translate in a reverse direction (e.g., negative X-directionindicated on FIG. 2) to generate a positive pressure that expels theliquid out of the sensor housing via opening 40. The positive pressuregenerated by liquid conveyance device 34 may communicate with sensorhousing 32 via the second opening 42 to which the fluid conveyancedevice is connected, forcing liquid in the sensor housing 32 back outvia first opening 40. Liquid conveyance device 34 may include a vent 47on an opposite side of piston 46 from the liquid side for venting air toand/or from housing 44 during actuation of the motive element.

Thus, in the illustrated arrangement, liquid extracted from tunnelwasher 20 both enters and exits sensor housing 32 via the same opening40. The liquid discharged from sensor housing 32 may be pushed backthrough fluid line 38 in a reverse direction from the direction in whichthe liquid was drawn into the sensor housing. In some applications,fluid line 38 is a single lumen line such that fluid pushed out ofsensor housing 32 into fluid line 38 via opening 40 is pushed back tothe processing chamber 26 from which the liquid was originallyextracted. In other applications, fluid line 38 may have a branch ordiversion to a drain or other discharge location, allowing liquid drawninto sensor housing 32 to be discharged from the housing without beingreintroduced into the processing chamber 26 of tunnel washer 20. Instill further examples, sensor housing 32 may have an additional openingseparate from first opening 40 and second opening 42 that functions as adischarge outlet, e.g., connected to a discharge fluid line differentthan the fluid line 38. In these examples, fluid line 38 and opening 40may function as inlets to draw liquid into sensor housing 32, while theseparate opening in fluid line may function as outlets for dischargingliquid from the sensor housing.

Although sensor housing can have a variety of different inlet and outletopening configurations, configuring the sensor housing with a sharedopening 40 through which liquid is both drawn into the sensor housingand discharge the sensor housing can be useful to prevent plugging andthe accumulation of fouling material in the sensor housing. Inoperation, the material drawn into sensor housing 32 may contain solidparticulates and other fouling material. By drawing liquid into sensorhousing 32 and subsequently discharging the liquid from the sameopening, a back-and-forth pulsating pressure may be applied. It has beenfound, in some applications, that this back-and-forth pulsating pressureand fluid movement has a tendency to purge solid material drawn into thesensor housing with a liquid sample for analysis, helping to preventplugging of the liquid sampling system.

Liquid drawn into sensor housing 32 can be analyzed by one or moresensors 36, which is illustrated in FIG. 2 as a first sensor 36A and asecond sensor 36B. First sensor 36A may be a sensor that includes aprobe extending into sensor housing 32 and physically contacts liquidwithin the sensor housing, e.g., such as a temperature sensor,conductivity sensor, a pH sensor, and/or other direct contact sensor.Second sensor 36B, by contrast, may be a non-contact sensor thatanalyzes liquid within sensor housing 32 without physically contactingliquid. For example, second sensor 36B may be an optical sensor thatincludes an emitter and a detector to detect one or more opticalcharacteristics of the liquid in sensor housing 32. It should beappreciated that the sensors illustrated in FIG. 2 are merely examples,and a liquid sampling system according to the disclosure may include adifferent number and/or different types of sensors without departingfrom the scope of disclosure.

In the example of FIG. 2, pump housing 44 of liquid conveyance device 34is illustrated as being oriented horizontally with respect to gravitywhile sensor housing 32 is oriented vertically with respect to gravity.In other configurations, sensor housing 32 and/or pump housing 44 mayhave different orientations with respect to each other and/or withrespect to gravity. For example, FIG. 3 is a sectional side view ofanother example configuration of liquid sampling system 30, where likereference numerals refer to like elements discussed above with respectto FIG. 2.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, liquid sampling system 30 is alsoimplemented using liquid conveyance device 34 that includes a piston 46that translates within a pump housing 44. In this configuration,however, pump housing 44 is oriented vertically with respect to gravity(e.g., such that an opening 60 in the housing that communicates withsecond opening 42 of sensor housing 32 is positioned downward withrespect to gravity). This alternative orientation of pump housing 44 hasbeen found to be useful, in some applications, where the liquid drawninto sensor housing 32 and correspondingly pump housing 44 containsabrasive solid material. For example, when the liquid material beingprocessed contains dirt, sand, or other grit, this particulate materialmay have a tendency to be drawn into pump housing 44 during the processof filling sensor housing 32. The particulate material may falldownwardly with respect to gravity while the liquid is retained in pumphousing 44 (e.g., while a stationary volume of fluid in sensor housing32 is undergoing analysis). When pump housing 44 is orientedhorizontally, this particulate material may abrade piston 46 as ittranslates forward in piston housing 44, e.g., with the particulatematerial falling to the bottom of pump housing 44 wearing the bottomsurface of the piston as it translates forward. Over time with repeatedactuations of piston 46, this particulate material may have a tendencyto degrade the piston to the point of failure, e.g., such that thepiston 46 no longer seals with the inner wall surface of pump housing44.

By orienting pump housing 44 vertically with respect to gravity in suchapplications (e.g., such that the inlet and/or outlet opening 60 of thepump housing is pointed downwardly with respect to gravity) particulatematerial drawn into the pump housing may fall to the outlet end 62 ofthe pump housing 44. As a result, the particulate material may notabrade piston 46 as it translates in pump housing 44. To help furtherprotect piston 46, one or more stops 64 may be provided. The stops 64may be spaced from outlet end 62 of pump housing 44 a distance, such asa distance of at least 1 mm, such as at least 10 mm, or at least 100 mm(e.g., a distance ranging from 10 mm to 2 cm).

Stop 64 may be a projection that the face of piston 46 contacts,preventing the piston from advancing fully to the outlet end 62 of pumphousing 44. The space between stop 64 and outlet end 62 may provide aregion that in which particulate material can collect in pump housing 44without interfering with piston 46. During cycling of the piston, suchcollective material may be expected to be pushed out of the pump housing44. Although stop 64 is illustrated in the orientation arrangement ofFIG. 3, such a feature may be used in the orientation arrangement ofFIG. 2 or yet other configurations as described herein. Further,although stop 64 is illustrated as being an internal stop that projectsacross a cross-section of pump housing 44, stop 64 may alternatively beimplemented as an external feature that interacts with piston 46 and/ora drive mechanism of the piston.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of yet another example configuration ofliquid sampling system 30, where like reference numerals refer to likeelements discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. In the exampleof FIG. 4, liquid sampling system 30 is shown being implemented usingliquid conveyance device 34 that includes a membrane or diaphragm 48that is configured to flex within the pump housing 44 to create a vacuumto draw liquid into sensor housing 32 and generate a pressure to pushliquid out of the housing. Pump housing 44 with diaphragm 48 with can beoriented in any suitable way relative to sensor housing 32, includinghorizontally as discussed with respect to FIG. 2 or vertically withopening 60 pointing downwardly as discussed with respect to FIG. 3.

Diaphragm 48 may flex away from opening 60 (e.g., in the negativeZ-direction indicated on FIG. 4) to create a vacuum, drawing liquid intosensor housing 32. Diaphragm 48 may further flex towards opening 60(e.g., in the positive Z-direction indicated on FIG. 4) to create apressure pulse, pushing the liquid in sensor housing 32 back out of thehousing. Diaphragm 48 may be formed of a flexible material, such as arubber, thermoplastic, or polytetrafluoroethylene material.

Configuring liquid conveyance device 34 with a diaphragm 48 instead of apiston 46 or element that translates along the length of the pumphousing 44 may be useful when dealing with solid-containing liquidscarrying abrasive particulates. Diaphragm 48 may be secured about itsperiphery to pump housing 44, e.g., such that the diaphragm flexesinside the housing but remains anchored and stationary about itsperimeter. As a result, if abrasive particulate enters pump housing 44,the particulate is not allowed to interact in a space between the motiveelement (diaphragm 48) and the surface of the wall. This can be usefulto maintain prolonged operation of liquid conveyance device 34 betweenany routine maintenance that may be typically provided.

Independent of the specific configuration of liquid conveyance device34, pump housing 44 of the liquid conveyance device may be sizedrelative to sensor housing 32. To repeatedly measure the characteristicsof different samples of fluid, liquid conveyance device 34 maysubstantially completely purge the sensor housing 32 of liquid andrefill it with fresh liquid during cycling. Accordingly, liquidconveyance device 34 may be sized to draw a volume of liquid greaterthan the volume of sensor housing 32. The volume of sensor housing 32may be considered the amount of liquid that can be held in the sensorhousing went completely full.

By configuring liquid conveyance device 34 to draw a volume of liquidgreater than the volume of sensor housing 32, the liquid conveyancedevice may pull at least as much liquid as is needed to fill the sensorhousing. Further, as liquid conveyance device 34 may typically draw morethan the volume of sensor housing 32, additional liquid may be drawnpast sensor housing 32 and into the liquid conveyance device itself(e.g., via the second opening 42 and opening 60 of pump housing 44 incommunication therewith). Additionally or alternatively, additionalliquid drawn by liquid conveyance device 34 may account for any volumeof liquid contained in fluid line 38 and/or any fluid line betweensensor housing 32 and liquid conveyance device 34.

For example, the capacity of liquid conveyance device 34 may beeffective to completely fill the fluid space between the source ofliquid from which the sample is being extracted (e.g., processingchamber 26 of tunnel washer 20) and the liquid conveyance device 34.This capacity of liquid conveyance device 34 may further be effective tocompletely purge the fluid space between liquid conveyance device 34 andthe discharge location following analysis liquid sample, which may beback to the original source. The amount of fluid space between thesource and liquid conveyance device 34 may be the combined capacity offluid line 38 and sensor housing 32. While liquid conveyance device 34may typically operate to completely fill sensor housing 32 with liquidfor analysis, in other examples, the liquid conveyance device may onlypartially fill the sensor housing, e.g., with an amount of liquidsuitable for one or more sensors 36 to interact with the liquid.

The amount of liquid drawn and/or discharged by liquid conveyance device34 may be controlled by controlling the size of pump housing 44 and thedistance the motive element (e.g., piston 46, diaphragm 48) travels inthe housing. In some examples, the motive element of liquid conveyancedevice is configured to draw a volume of liquid at least 1.5 times thevolume of sensor housing 32, such as at least twice the volume of thesensor housing. For example, a ratio of the volume of liquid drawn byliquid conveyance device 34 divided by the volume of sensor housing 32may range from 1.2 to 20, such as from 1.5 to 15, 2 to 10, or 2 to 5.

The specific size and dimensions of sensor housing 32 and pump housing44 may vary depending on the desired application. In some examples,however, sensor housing 32 may have a volume ranging from 100 mL to 500mL. In such an application, liquid conveyance device 34 may be designedto draw a volume of liquid ranging from 1 mm to 2.5 mL during operation.When sensor housing 32 is connected to a source by fluid line 38, thefluid line may have a volume or liquid capacity less than the volume ofthe sensor housing. Additionally or alternatively, when liquidconveyance device 34 is connected to sensor housing 32 by a fluid line,this fluid line may have a volume or liquid capacity less than thevolume of the sensor housing. Otherwise, if one or more fluid lines inthe system are long and/or have a larger capacity, the capacity ofliquid conveyance device 34 may be adjusted to account for the longholding volume within the one or more lines.

Liquid conveyance device 34 may be powered by any suitable power source,such as electrical power or pneumatic power. In some configurations, amotive fluid such as pressurized air or hydraulic fluid is used to drivethe motive element inside of pump housing 44 to translate back andforth. Independent of the type of power source used to drive liquidconveyance device 34, the liquid conveyance device may generate a vacuumpressure sufficient to draw liquid from the source to fill sensorhousing 32 and subsequently generate a positive pressure sufficient topurge the liquid from the sensor housing. In some applications, liquidconveyance device 34 is configured to pressurize liquid drawn into thesensor housing 32 to a pressure greater than 25 psig, such as greaterthan 50 psig, or greater than 75 psig. Configuring liquid conveyancedevice 34 to generate a sufficiently high pressure for expelling liquidfrom sensor housing 32 can be useful to help purge solid materials,particulates, or other debris drawn into the sensor housing back out ofthe sensor housing.

With further reference to FIG. 1, controller 50 can control operation ofliquid sampling system 30 to extract and analyze a liquid sample andsubsequently discharge the liquid sample from the system. For example,controller 50 can control the motive element (e.g., piston 46, diaphragm48) of the liquid conveyance device to draw liquid from processingchamber 26 of tunnel washer 20 into sensor housing 32. Controller 50 maycontrol the motive element by controlling a power source (e.g., motivefluid) that drives movement of the motive element. Controller 50 mayhold the liquid drawn into sensor housing 32 for a period of timesufficient for the one or more sensors to measure one or more propertiesof the liquid drawn into the sensor housing. Controller 50 may hold theliquid in sensor housing 32 by maintaining the motive element in aretracted position. The amount of time needed for a sensor to measure acorresponding property of the liquid may vary depending on the type ofsensor from a fraction of a second (e.g., 1 second or less, such as 0.5seconds or less, or 0.1 seconds or less) to more than a second (e.g.,from 1 second to 1 minute, such as from 1 second to 10 seconds, or from1 second to 5 seconds).

Upon controller 50 receiving a signal from sensor 36 indicating that theproperty of the liquid has been measured, the controller can control themotive element to discharge the liquid from sensor housing 32 back outof the housing. Again, controller 50 may control the motive element bycontrolling a power source that drives movement of the motive element.

With some types of sensors 36, it is desirable to keep the sensor fluidwet between uses to prevent a sensor element from drying out.Accordingly, when not in active sampling mode, controller 50 may controlliquid sampling system 30 to keep sensor housing 32 liquid full ratherthan discharging the liquid from the housing after analysis. Controller50 may subsequently purge the liquid from the sensor housing beforeperforming a subsequent liquid sample extraction and analysis.Additionally or alternatively, liquid sampling system 30 may beimplemented as a closed system that does not introduce air into sensorhousing 32 between sample extractions (e.g., beside any air leakage thatmay normally occur because of manufacturing tolerances). When soconfigured, sensor(s) 36 may remain wetted even between samples even ifsensor housing 32 is evacuated of liquid following analysis of a liquidsample.

A liquid sampling system according to the disclosure can be useful forextracting samples of liquid from a source where the samples containsolid materials, such as agglomerates, particulates, or other materialsthat will be drawn into a sensor chamber and have a tendency to causeplugging and/or fouling problems. The liquid sampling system may beimplemented with a sensor housing positioned between a liquid source anda liquid conveyance device that provides alternating negative andpositive pressure. The resulting back and forth liquid flow created bythis arrangement can help release and remove the undesired solidmaterials that may be drawn into the sensor housing, helping to keep thesensor housing clean for repeated and subsequent samplings.

To avoid premature plugging, a liquid sampling system according todisclosure may be implemented as a filtration-free system that is devoidof any filtration elements (e.g., screen) that liquid flows throughbetween the source and the sensor housing. By eliminating a filtrationelement, additional solid material that may otherwise be filtered outmay be drawn into the sensor housing. However, this solid material drawninto the sensor housing may be purged back out of the housing whenpressure is applied to discharge the liquid sensor housing duringcycling. While a liquid sampling system according to disclosure may beimplemented without a filtration element, it should be appreciated thata filtration element may optionally be used in the disclosure is notlimited in this respect. For example, a filtration element withcomparatively large pores may be located along fluid line 38 and/or attunnel washer 20 to help prevent large particulate from entering theliquid sampling system.

The techniques described in this disclosure, including functionsperformed by a controller, control unit, or control system, may beimplemented within one or more of a general purpose microprocessor,digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic devices(PLDs), or other equivalent logic devices. Accordingly, the terms“processor” or “controller,” as used herein, may refer to any one ormore of the foregoing structures or any other structure suitable forimplementation of the techniques described herein.

The various components illustrated herein may be realized by anysuitable combination of hardware, software, and firmware. In thefigures, various components are depicted as separate units or modules.However, all or several of the various components described withreference to these figures may be integrated into combined units ormodules within common hardware, firmware, and/or software. Accordingly,the representation of features as components, units or modules isintended to highlight particular functional features for ease ofillustration, and does not necessarily require realization of suchfeatures by separate hardware, firmware, or software components. In somecases, various units may be implemented as programmable processesperformed by one or more processors or controllers.

Any features described herein as modules, devices, or components may beimplemented together in an integrated logic device or separately asdiscrete but interoperable logic devices. In various aspects, suchcomponents may be formed at least in part as one or more integratedcircuit devices, which may be referred to collectively as an integratedcircuit device, such as an integrated circuit chip or chipset. Suchcircuitry may be provided in a single integrated circuit chip device orin multiple, interoperable integrated circuit chip devices.

If implemented in part by software, the techniques may be realized atleast in part by a computer-readable data storage medium (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium) comprising code withinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors orcontrollers, performs one or more of the methods and functions describedin this disclosure. The computer-readable storage medium may form partof a computer program product, which may include packaging materials.The computer-readable medium may comprise random access memory (RAM)such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), embedded dynamic randomaccess memory (eDRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory,magnetic or optical data storage media. Any software that is utilizedmay be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more DSP's,general purpose microprocessors, ASIC's, FPGA's, or other equivalentintegrated or discrete logic circuitry.

Various examples have been described. These and other examples arewithin the scope of the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A liquid sampling system for a textilewasher comprising: a textile washer having a processing chamber; aliquid sampling system having a fluid line in fluid communication withthe processing chamber of the textile washer, the liquid sampling systemincluding: a sensor housing having a first opening connected to thefluid line and a second opening; at least one sensor positioned tomeasure a property of a liquid drawn into the sensor housing; and aliquid conveyance device having an opening in fluid communication withthe second opening of the sensor housing and a motive element, themotive element being configured to draw a volume of liquid into theliquid conveyance device through the opening, thereby drawing liquidfrom the processing chamber of the textile washer via the fluid line andinto the sensor housing, and the motive element being configured tosubsequently discharge the volume of liquid from the liquid conveyancedevice back out through the opening, thereby pushing the liquid in thesensor housing out of the sensor housing.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the motive element is configured to push the liquid in thesensor housing out of the first opening connected to the fluid line andback into the processing chamber of the textile washer.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor housing defines a sensor housing volume, andthe volume of liquid the motive element is configured to draw is greaterthan the volume of the sensor housing.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereina ratio of the volume of liquid the motive element is configured to drawinto the liquid conveyance device divided by the volume of the sensorhousing ranges from 2 to
 10. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: thetextile washer having the processing chamber is a tunnel washer havingan inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of processing chambers between theinlet and the outlet, and the plurality of processing chambers include awash chamber, an oxidizing chamber, and a rinse chamber, the fluid lineof the liquid sampling system is in fluid communication with the washchamber or the oxidizing chamber.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theliquid conveyance device comprises a pump housing and the motive elementcomprises a piston positioned to translate within the pump housing, thepiston generating a vacuum when retracted within the pump housing todraw the volume of liquid into the pump housing and the pistonpressurizing the volume of liquid drawn within the pump housing whenadvanced in an opposite direction within the pump housing to dischargethe volume of liquid back out of the pump housing.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the pump housing is oriented vertically with respect togravity and includes a piston stop spaced from an outlet end of the pumphousing, the piston stop being configured to stop the piston fromadvancing fully to the outlet end of the pump housing and therebyprovide a debris collection space.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theliquid conveyance device comprises a pump housing and the motive elementcomprises a membrane configured to flex within the pump housing, themembrane generating a vacuum when flexed into the pump housing to drawthe volume of liquid into the pump housing and the membrane pressurizingthe volume of liquid drawn within the pump housing when flexed in anopposite direction within the pump housing to discharge the volume ofliquid back out of the pump housing.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinthe liquid conveyance device is configured to pressurize the volume ofliquid to a pressure greater than 50 psig when discharging the volume ofliquid from the liquid conveyance device.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one sensor includes a sensor selected from thegroup consisting of a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, a conductivitysensor, an optical sensor, an oxidation reduction potential sensor, atotal dissolved solids sensor, and combinations thereof.
 11. The systemof claim 1, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled tothe at least one sensor and the liquid conveyance device, wherein thecontroller is configured to: control the motive element of the liquidconveyance device to draw liquid from the processing chamber of thetextile washer into the sensor housing and hold the liquid drawn intothe sensor housing for a period of time sufficient for the at least onesensor to measure the property of the liquid drawn into the sensorhousing; receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of theproperty measured by the sensor; and control the motive element of theliquid conveyance device to discharge the liquid drawn into the sensorhousing out of the sensor housing.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinthe controller is configured to repeat a process of controlling themotive element of the liquid conveyance device to draw liquid into thesensor housing, receiving the signal from the at least one sensor, andcontrolling the motive element of the liquid conveyance device todischarge the liquid drawn into the sensor housing out of the sensorhousing at least once every 10 seconds during operation.
 13. The systemof claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to at least one oftransmit the property measured by the sensor to a remote computingdevice and control the textile washer based on the property measured bythe sensor.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid lineconnecting the second opening of the sensor housing to the opening ofthe liquid conveyance device, the fluid line having a volume less thanthe volume of the sensor housing.
 15. A method comprising: drawing asample of liquid out of a processing chamber of a textile washer bydriving a motive element of a liquid conveyance device in fluidcommunication with the processing chamber and having a sensor housingpositioned between the motive element and the processing chamber,thereby filling the sensor housing with liquid from the processingchamber; measuring a property of the liquid drawn into the sensorhousing using at least one sensor; and pushing the liquid drawn into thesensor housing back out of the sensor housing and back into theprocessing chamber of the textile washer by driving the motive elementof the liquid conveyance device.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereindrawing the sample of liquid out of the processing chamber comprisesdrawing a volume of liquid greater than a volume of the sensor housingout of the processing chamber.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thetextile washer is a tunnel washer having a plurality of processingchambers including a pre-wash chamber, a wash chamber, and a rinsechamber, and drawing the sample of liquid out of the processing chambercomprises drawing the sample of liquid out of the wash chamber.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the sample of liquid comprises from 0.05 to5 weight percent solids.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the liquidconveyance device comprises a pump housing and the motive elementcomprises a piston that translates within the pump housing, the pistongenerating a vacuum when retracted within the pump housing to draw thesample of liquid and the piston pressurizing liquid drawn into the pumphousing when advanced in an opposite direction to push the liquid drawninto the sensor housing back out of the sensor housing.
 20. The methodof claim 15, wherein the liquid conveyance device comprises a pumphousing and the motive element comprises a membrane configured to flexwithin the pump housing, the membrane generating a vacuum when flexedinto the pump housing to draw the sample of liquid and the membranepressurizing the liquid drawn into the pump housing when flexed in anopposite direction within the pump housing to push the liquid drawn intothe sensor housing back out of the sensor housing.
 21. The method ofclaim 15, wherein pushing the liquid drawn into the sensor housing backout of the sensor housing and back into the processing chamber of thetextile washer comprises pushing the liquid drawn into the sensorhousing back out of the sensor housing at a pressure of greater than 50psig.
 22. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensorincludes a sensor selected from the group consisting of a temperaturesensor, a pH sensor, a conductivity sensor, an optical sensor, anoxidation reduction potential sensor, a total dissolved solids sensor,and combinations thereof.
 23. A liquid sampling system comprising: asensor housing that has a first opening and a second opening and thatdefines a volume within the sensor housing; at least one sensorpositioned to measure a property of a liquid drawn into the sensorhousing; and a liquid conveyance device having an opening in fluidcommunication with the second opening of the sensor housing and a motiveelement, the motive element being configured to draw a volume of theliquid greater than the volume of the sensor housing into the liquidconveyance device via the opening, thereby drawing liquid into thesensor housing, and subsequently discharge the volume of liquid drawninto the liquid conveyance device back out through the opening.
 24. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein the motive element is configured to draw thevolume of liquid into the liquid conveyance device through the first andsecond openings and the volume of the sensor housing and subsequentlydischarge the volume of liquid through the first and second openings andthe volume of the sensor housing, thereby flushing the sensor housingthrough filling and discharging of the liquid conveyance device.
 25. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein a ratio of the volume of liquid the motiveelement is configured to draw into the liquid conveyance device dividedby the volume of the sensor housing ranges from 2 to 10.